The best of both worlds is what the combination of a stainless or galvanized steel surrounded by basalt fiber reinforcements brings. Structural engineers can understand the benefits of both these materials. Many times they are reluctant to specify just an FRP (fiber reinforced polymer) or BFRP (basalt fiber reinforced polymer) because of the shear factor. The breaking loads of … [Read more...]

The Sunshine Skyway Bridge in Florida with basalt grids of mesh and clips.
The Florida Department of Transportation is now using Geo-grid mesh made from basalt fibers as an important part of the solution in the repair of their bridge columns.
Concrete and steel react over time and, as seen everywhere, particularly in the colder States or high humidity States, the … [Read more...]

About Nick

Working with concrete and steel for over 25 years has given me an innate understanding of the properties and use of these materials. From rebuilding old homes in New England to hospitals in Alaska, union work on the pipeline, and commercial jobs from Hawaii to Arizona and Florida, I have seen a great deal!

My motivation when seeing people lose their homes to fires, tornadoes, hurricanes, floods, etc. is the knowledge that by building correctly many of these homes, and lives can be spared. New standards are in place such as installing better windows or hurricane ties. However to me these are just band-aids on the greater problem of building correctly in the first place. Homes can be built today with designs and new reinforcements that can withstand the elements.